Nov. 20, 2001

GAME BACKDROP: Stony Brook attemps to win back-to-back games to open the season for the first time since the 1997-98 season. Meanwhile, the Blackbirds hope to get on track after dropping their season opener against Georgia Tech.

THE SERIES: Stony Brook leads the all-time series 3-1. More importantly, the Seawolves' win over the Blackbirds in the last meeting between the teams was a historic victory for the program. On Dec. 1, 1999, the Seawolves registered their first victory as a Division I program with an 84-72 triumph over LIU. Julie Szabo and Lauren Ruane each scored 20 points to lead Stony Brook and Jessica Burch chipped in with 10.

ABOUT LIU: Long Island University had a rough debut in the season opener against Georgia Tech, as the Yellow Jackets posted an 80-49 victory on Saturday. Kim Mac Millan led LIU with 13 points, but she struggled from the field, shooting just 4-of-20. Tara Hamilton added 12 points and connected on both of her three-point attempts. LIU hit just 14-of-51 field goals and was outrebounded 44-32.

LIU comes off its first winning season (16-15) in 21 years, the most victories in 24 campaigns, its first Northeast Conference title and its first trip to the NCAA Tournament.

LAST TIME OUT: Stony Brook used a 9-0 run in the final 1:57 to defeat Rider, 75-68, Saturday afternoon at the SBU Sports Complex. Sherry Jordan connected from the free throw line to give Stony Brook a 69-68 advantage with less than two minutes remaining, and from there it was all Stony Brook who went on to a 75-68 victory. Theresa LoParrino scored 18 of her game-high 20 points in the first half. Danielle DeGiorgio grabbed five rebounds to go along with her 16 points, and Jill George battled through foul trouble to record a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Jordan had 11 points and nine rebounds for the Seawolves, while Erika Shipley chipped in with eight points and a career-high seven assists.

BACK TO BACK: Stony Brook looks to win its first two games of the season for the first time since 1997-98, when the Seawolves won their first four games before suffering a defeat. Stony Brook opened its 2000-01 campaign with a win over Delaware State but lost to Loyola Marymount in its next outing.

IN THE RPIL The Seawolves are ranked No. 120 in the first RPI ranking this season. Stony Brook finished last season ranked 208th.

SHIP SAILS: Erika Shipley was impressive in the season opener against Rider, dishing out a career-high seven assists. Shipley, whose previous career-best was four, turned the ball over just twice. The rest of her game was solid as well, as the senior scored eight points and grabbed five boards. She also stole the ball twice against the Broncs.

FIT TO A T: Theresa LoParrino wasted no time showing that not much has changed since she was second on the team in scoring a season ago. LoParrino's hot hand led the Seawolves to a 44-36 halftime lead against Rider. The sophomore blistered the Broncs with 18 first-half points, including 7-of-12 shooting from the field. For the game, LoParrino was 7-of-12 en route to her game-high 20 points.

DANDY DANIELLE: Sophomore forward Danielle DeGiorgio scored a career-high 16 points against Rider. Her previous career-best was 13 points against Albany last season.

BOY, GEORGE: Senior Jill George was clutch on Saturday, scoring four points in the Seawolves' 9-0 run to end the game. After a Sherry Jordan free throw and an Erika Shipley layup gave SBU a 71-68 edge, George added a layup with 23 seconds left and two free throws with just two-tenths of a second to go to seal the win for the Seawolves. George scored 14 points and snared 11 rebounds in the opener, her ninth career double-double.

NOVEMBER RAIN: The Seawolves face their most difficult schedule in 2001-02, starting right off the bat. The Seawolves head to the St. Mary's of California Tournament on Nov. 23 and 24. Stony Brook takes on NCAA Tournament participant and host St. Mary's on Day One and will battle either Illinois or James Madison on the 24th. Illinois went 9-7 in the powerful Big Ten last year while James Madison was a semifinalist in the WNIT last season. Stony Brook battles Penn in the last weekend of November and will take on either Loyola-Marymount or George Mason the following day.

NEXT HOME GAME: Stony Brook returns to the Sports Complex when the Seawolves play host to the 2001 Holiday Inn Express Tournament Friday, Nov. 30, and Saturday, Dec. 1. Stony Brook meets Penn at 7 p.m. on Friday. George Mason takes on Loyola-Marymount in the first game at 5 p.m.The consolation game is slated for 2 p.m. on Saturday with the championship to follow at 4 p.m.